On March 25, 2020, Loyalhanna Care Center received the news that one of our residents tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). At first, time seemed to stand still, but once the gravity of the situation sunk in, our team jumped into action. These initial decisions, which included quarantining the unit and implementing infection control isolation measures, helped us keep the infection from spreading to approximately 70% of our population, including the other 60-bed unit, as well as residents who live on what would become known as our “COVID Unit.” As of May 14, 2020, our facility has had 22 residents test positive for the COVID-19 virus, and many have recovered, including one person who was well enough to return home. Sadly, despite the heroic efforts of our nursing staff and physicians, lives were lost, and we grieve with the families and friends of those loved ones who succumbed to the disease. We are grateful for the many kind sentiments shown during this time, from families, healthcare partners, and our community – These acts of kindness remind us of why we do what we do! The lives of our staff members were also touched as 21 tested positive for the virus over the last several weeks. Thankfully, others stepped up to ensure the provision of care for our residents without missing a beat, and most everyone has returned to work after recovering at home. We have been fortunate to have the support of an epidemiologist from the Pennsylvania Department of Health assigned to our facility to provide valuable guidance. We will get through this together!

As of May 6, 2020, we have started re-testing residents on the COVID Unit to determine whether or not the virus is still active within the facility. Even as we wait, we can report that our residents are stable and not showing signs of the illness at this time. Although it may be sometime before our day-to-day routines return to normal, we are hopeful that Loyalhanna will soon be COVID-free again.

VISITATION RESTRICTIONS

Per Governor Wolf’s recent guidance on reopening the Commonwealth, access to the facility remains open only to healthcare workers who meet the screening criteria and wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Visitiation may be permitted on a case-by-case basis for compassionate care situations, including end-of-life visits, bereavement counselors, clergy, etc. Rest assured that when we get the “green light” for visitation, you will be the first to know!

UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION

If you would like the most up-to-date information, please continue to check our website or follow our Loyalhanna Care Center page on Facebook. We will continue to post photos, activites, and current events to give you a peek at what’s going on until you are able to visit in person.

FROM THE FRONTLINES: A LETTER FROM GEORGE M. GAVIN, MD, MPH

“I am an attending physician at Loyalhanna Care Center, Latrobe, which was recently in the news due to COVID-19. Despite the strong efforts of the administration, the virus was likely introduced into the facility by a patient transferred from a hospital outside our locale. Over the past month it has quickly spread to numerous patients on the North Wing. Many have recovered, some are still ill, and several have died. Fifteen staff members also have contracted the virus. So far, mitigation has spared the South Wing.

I am privileged to work with a superb nursing and ancillary staff let by a strong Administrator and Director of Nursing. Coronavirus has been called “the invisible enemy.” Indeed, you can’t see it, hear it, taste it, or smell it, but you can FEEL IT every time you enter the unit. Everyday brave nurses, aides, therapists and housekeepers enter the unit to provide excellent care and compassion to their ill residents, despite the risk to their own health and the lives of those of their families.

I ask you whenever you see nurses and other healthcare workers, especially ones working the frontlines, to thank them and pray for them.”

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE’VE LOST

Loving Memories

Your gentle face and patient smile with sadness we recall,You had a kindly word for each and died beloved by all.The voice is mute and still the heart that loved us well and true,Ah, bitter was the trial to part from one so good as youYou are not forgotten loved one, nor will you ever be,As long as life and memory last, we will remember thee.We miss you now, our hearts are sore,As time goes by we miss you more.Your loving smile, your gentle face,No one can fill your empty place.